The NHS suggests calling 999 if you experience sudden or severe heart failure symptoms.

A little-known sign impacting the ankles might represent “one of the most common” indicators of a potentially fa-tal health issue. Puffy ankles and legs may be a signal of heart failure.

Heart failure happens when the heart struggles to pump blood effectively around the body frequently because it has grown too weak or rigid. This chronic ailment typically deteriorates gradually over time.

Usually incurable, the symptoms of this disease can frequently be managed for numerous years. In an update, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) wa.rned the public about key warning signs to watch for.

The BHF explained: “You may hear your doctor or nurse talk about ‘stages of heart failure’ or ‘classes of heart failure’. This refers to a classification system that helps to describe how bad your symptoms are and how much they affect the quality of your daily life.

“It can help your healthcare team plan the best treatment and support for you. The most commonly used classification system is based on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. It divides heart failure into four classes.”

This assessment is based on on your physical capacity for activities and accompanying symptoms. The charity notes these manifestations encompass exhaustion, breathlessness, and irregular heartbeat.

The organisation added: “While it’s not measured as part of the NYHA scale, the NHS also lists swollen ankles and legs – caused by a build-up of fluid – as one of the most common symptoms of heart failure.”

This medical condition, known as oedema, can be quite a hindrance to walking. The NHS claims that it might show improvement in the morning but “get worse later in the day”.

According tp Medical News Today experts, heart failure results in increased blood pressure within the vessels due to the heart’s inefficiency in pumping. “This elevation in pressure forces fluid out of the blood vessels and into the surrounding tissues, resulting in swelling, or oedema,” they detail.

Oedema is characterised by symptoms such as discomfort, stiffness, swollen or puffy ankles, feet, or legs, skin that looks shiny or stretched, skin colour changes, and skin indentations upon pressing.

The condition may also arise from various factors including:

Standing or sitting in the same position for too long
Eating too much salty food
Being overweight
Being pregnant
Taking certain medicines – such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, Hormone therapy, antidepressants or steroids
An injury – such as a strain or sprain
An insect bite or sting
Problems with your kidneys or liver
A blood clot
An infection

Other signs of heart failure include breathlessness after exertion or at rest, which may intensify when reclining, resuling in waking up gasping for air.

Fatigue is another symptom, often leading to a persistent sense of tiredness and making physical activity exhausting. Lightheadedness and fainting spells are further potential indicators.

Less typical symptoms of heart failure can manifest as a persistent cough, often worsening at night, alongside wheezing, abdominal bloating, changes in appetite, and fluctuations in weight. In addition, people may encounter confusion, an elevated heart rate, and palpitations characterised by pounding, fluttering, or irregular heartbeats.

It’s not uncommon for people suffering from heart failure to also experience psychological effects such as depression and anxiety. The NHS recommends: “See your GP if you experience persistent or gradually worsening symptoms of heart failure.”

Additionally, it instructs: “Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible if you have sudden or very severe symptoms.”